Chester Co. Parents Express Bullying Concerns

By
Heather Mathis
By
hmathis@wbbjtv.com

CHESTER COUNTY, Tenn.- Several Chester County parents are speaking out against bullying in their children's school.

The group of parents are started a Facebook page called, "Safe in the South" as an outlet to talk about bullying in Chester County.

"We don't need another child to harm themselves, to feel belittled, we don't need any other child to cry themselves to sleep anymore," said the group's founder, Taron Warren.

The "Safe in the South" parents said they are tired of their children being bullied, and organized a school walkout for Friday.

"I told my sons, ya know, walk out! That's what I want you to do, I want you to stand up for something," said another parent Ruby Beauchamp.

The Chester County Superintendent, Cherrie Pipkin, released this statement about the walkout, "No one has asked the school system for permission to do this and did not ask us to participate in it....If it is to "stomp out bullying", then YES, this is what we preach and try to stop everyday, but we should have been notified and asked for approval so all could participate in a safe and organized fashion; that has not happened."

Parents told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News, they believe the walkout is the only way for their children's voices to be heard.

"It's nothing against the school. It's nothing against the teachers. It's simply a way of saying we are done with bullying," said one parent Keith Spain.

Superintendent Pipkin said any student who does walkout could face suspension.